The Impact of the Pathways to Quantum Immersion Program and College Trajectories and Career Conceptualization

The Pathways to Quantum Summer Immersion Program introduces high school students to key quantum concepts and the jobs in quantum. The program has run each summer since 2022. The program includes: (1) a two-week virtual program focused on helping students understand basic quantum concepts, (2) a one-week in-person experience in which students build on their understanding of the quantum key concepts and visit research labs, companies engaged in quantum, and an organization focused on quantum policy, (3) an optional follow-up in which students create a poster on their vision of future uses for quantum, and (4) an optional (application required) extended research experience in quantum. We will present preliminary results from interviews with students who were part of the first 2 cohorts and are at least six months beyond their high school graduation. These interviews aim to understand how the program impacted their college trajectories and their thoughts about future career paths.